The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-07-16
WILL STAY AWAY.
President Cleveland Reoonsiders
His Intention to Visit St Louis.
A Lengthy Letter Explaining Ills Reasons
for Hts Action-A wish TO Avoid I'm
plcasantness with the q. A. R.-No
Fear OF Violence.
TIE woS'T GO.


addressed to the mayor Of this city, who
was the chairman Of the committee Of
representative citizens of st. Louis who
verbally invited the President to visit
this city during the holding Of the encamp.
mcnt of the Grand Army OF tho Republic
next September, explains itself without
further comment:
EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, d. c.,
July 4, 1ss7.-7he Hon. Ddrid II. Francis, Mayor
and Chdirmdn-MY DEAR SIR: When I re-
ccived the extremely cordial and gratifying in
vitation from the citizens of st. Louis, ten
dered by number Of her representative men,
to visit that city during the National encamp-
ment OF the Grand Army OF the Republic, hau
been contemplating for some time the accept
ance OF an invitation from that organization to
the same effect, and had considered the
pleasure which it would afford me, II 1t should
be possible, to meet not only members OF
the Grand Army, but the people OF St.
Louis and other cities In the West which the
occasion would give me an opportunity to
visit. The exactions of my public duties felt
to be so uncertain, however, that when first
confronted by the delegation of which you
were the head expected to do no more ut that
time than to promise the consideration OF the
double invitation rendered me, and express tho
pleasure 1t would give me to accept the same
thereafter II possible. But the cordialty and
sincerity Of your presentation, re-cnfor ced by
tHt ucdItlutSS VI tuc pCOplC WIN
you SO impressed me that could not resist the
feeling which prompted me to assure you on
the spot that would be with you and the
Grand Army of the Republic at the time desig-
mated, II nothing happened in the meantime to
absolutely prevent my leaving Washington
Immediately upon the public announcement
of this conclusion expressions emanating from
certain important members OF the Grand Army
OF the Republic, and increasing in volume and
virulencc, constrained me to review my accept
ance OF these invitations. The expressions re
ferred to go to the extent of declaring that I
would be an unwelcome guest Mt the
time and place Of the National Encamp-
ment. This statement is based, well
us can judge, upon certain official
acts Of mine, involving important public
interests, done under the restraints and obl-
cations of my oath of Office, which do not ap-
pear to accord with the wishes Of some men,
bcrs of the Grand Army OF the Republic. / re-
fuse to believe that this organization, founded
upon patriotic ideas, composed very largely Of
men entitled to lasting honor and considera-
tion, and whose crowning glory 1t
should be that they are American citizens
us well as veteran soldiers, deems it Il
part of its mission to compass any object
purpose by attempting to intmidate
the executive coerce those charged with
making and executing the laws and yet the ex-
pressions to which 1 have referred indicate such
a prevalence Of unfriendly feeling and such u
menace to an occasion which should be har,
monous, peaceful and cordial that they can not
be ignored. beg you to understand that am
not conscious Of any act Of mine which should
make me fear to meet the Grand Army of the
Republic or any other asscmblage Of my fellow
citizens. The account Of my official steward
ship is always ready for presentation to my
countrymen. l should not be frank II failed to
confess, while disclaiming all resentment, that
have been hurt by unworthy and wanton attacks
m n growing nj ma for nj IN
less manner in which my actions and motives
have been misrcprcsented, both publicly and pri-
vately, for which, however, the Grand Army Of
the Republic, US body, IS by no means respon-
sible.
The threats of personal violence and harm
IN case undertook the trip in question, which
scores of misguided unbalanced men under the
stimulation OF excited feeling have made, are
not even considered Rather than abandon my
visit to the West and disappoint your citizens
might, II alone were concerned, submit to
the insult to which it is quite openly asserted l
would be helplessly subjected IL present at the
encampment; but should bear with me there
the peoples highest office, the dignity OF which
/ must protect; and l believe that neither the
Grand Army of the Republic as an organization,
nor any thing like o majority of its members,
would ever encourage any scandalous attack
upon it. II, however, among the membership
OF this body there are some, as certainly seems
TO be the case determined to denounce me and
my official acts at the National encampment Ibe
lieve they should be permitted to do so unre-
strained by my presence ss guest of their or
ganization, or asa guest OF the hospitable city
in which their meeting is held. number Of
the Grand Army posts have signifed their in
tention, 1 am informed, to remain away from
the encampment in case visit the city at that
time. Without considering the merit of such
an excuse, 1 feel that ought not to be the
cause of such nonattendance. The time and
place Of the encampment were fixed long before
my invitations were received Those desiring
to participate in its proceedings should be first
regarded, and nothing should be permitted to
interfere with their intentions.
Another consideration of more importance
than ail others remains to be noticed. The fact
was referred to by you when you verbally pre-
sented the invitation of the citizens of st. Louis
that the coming encampment OF the Grand
Army of the Republic would be the first held in
Southern State. suppose this fact was men,
toned as pleasing indication OF the fraternal
feeling fast gaining ground throughout the en-
tire land and hailed by every patriotic citizen as
an earnest that the Union has really and in fact
been saved in sentiment and spirit, with all the
benefits 1t vouchsafes to o united people. can
not rid myself of the belief that the least dis
cord on this propitous occasion might retard
the progress OF the sentiment OF common
broth herhood which the Grand Army Of the Re-
public has SO good an opportunity to increase
and foster. / certainly ought not to be the
cause OF such discord in any event or upon any
pretext.
1t seems to me that you and the citizens of
st. Louis are entitled to this unreserved
statement of the conditions which have con-
strained me to foregO my contemplated visit
and to withdraw my acceptance Of your
invitation. My presence in your city at
the time you have indicated can be OF but
little moment compared with the i'm.
DOrtanCe Of the cOrdiul and harmonious enter.
tanment Of your other guests. / assure you
that abandon my plan without the least per'
sonal feeling except regret, constrained thereto
by sense of duty actuated by desire to save
any embarrassment to the people OF ST. Louis OF
their expected guests, and with q heart full OF
grateful appreciation OF the sincere and unaf
fected kindness OF your citizens. Hoping the
encampment may be an occasion of much use
fulness, and that its proceedings may illustrate
the highest patriotism OF American citizenship
am yours, very sincerely, INE
GROVER CLEVELAND
ST. LOUIS, July 8.-The following letter
was received yesterday by the original
committee appointed by the Grand Army:
"ExECUTIvE MANSION. WASHINGTON, d
c., July 4.-To Ddcid II. Francis, Mayor of IN,
CITY Of 81. Louis: Frank Gaiennie. Presiden
W. Noble, Commander Frank n. Biai,
Post No. I, q. A. r., copniftee-GEN
TLEMEN: While have hitherto made
no formal response to your invitation given IL
February last to myself and Mrs. Cleveland u
attend the National Encampment OF the Grant
Army OF the Republic, to be held In ST. Loui,
from the 27th TO the 30th Of September next,
have verbally indicated my purpose TO accep
1t II should lind it possible then TO be absen
from Washington. The statement containet
In your letter that the organization was neve
In SO fourishing condition us now nor IT.